Air conditioning apparatus



June4 29, 1937. A. s. x oc:KE` 2,0855703 AIR CONDITIONING yAPPARATUS Fild Dee'. 29. '1933 Y 4 sheets-shear 1 Ao45-canut cui',

June29,19`37; A, s @CKE` '2,085,703' AIR coNDzTIoNING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 29, 1953 4 sheets-,sheet 2 INVENTOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 June 29, 1937.A A. s. LocKE I AIR CONDITIONING APPARATUS Filed Das. 29. 19:53

l IW

I.mme 29, 1931.4 As. I QcKE 2,085,703

. *AIR corinITIoNING APPARATUS Filed Dec. A29. 193s 4 sheets-sheet 4 Patented June 29, 14937 A 2,085,703 AIR CONDITIONING APPARATUS Arthur S'. Locke, Philadelphia, Pa., assigner to BaldwnSouthwark Corporation, a corpora-l tion of Delaware Application December ze, 1033, serial No. '104,422

Is claims.

This invention relates generally to air conditioning apparatus of the Atype employing re frlgerating mechanism and more particularly to an improved room cooler unit utilizing a conden 54 ser arranged for maximum condenser area in a relatively'small space and for effecting air flow over the condenser to cool the same.

Various arrangements have heretofore beenl proposed to effect 'a relatively small self-con- 10 tained room cooler unit utilizing a refrigerating mechanism having anl air'cooled condenser, but

, onedifliculty with such a type. of unit is the "necessity, for a relatively large condenser together with an adequate arrangement, for effectively cooling the condenser by air. Itis further necessary not only to provide an efcient condenser of suitablercapacity but also to keep the room space required for the unit at a minimum. It is one object of my invention to provide an zo4 improved unit so constructed and arranged as to permit the use of a relatively large condenser to- 'gether with means for effectively circulating out- 'side cooling air over the condenser and for circulating-room air over the evaporator while at the is economical in manufacture vand maintenance and requires minimum" room space' for a given capacity of the unit. In one aspect of the'invention I accomplish the .foregoing object by having the condenser overlie both the outside air circulating means and the compressor with the air ducts so arranged that the outside air mayv eiiiciently flow transversely over` the condenser such as from one side thereof to the other. In

' A further object is to provide improved means for disposingof condensate in a unit of this kind, and in one specific aspect thereof I provide an improved fioat actuated motor-driven pump'so arranged that condensate from the evaporator side of the unit will accumulate in such a manner and location that the pump may be effectively same time providing a relatively simple unit that a more specific aspect of the invention I provide actuated only at predeterminedintervals to dis- (Cl.l 62-129) charge under pressure the condensateginto the l outside air stream. v

A still further object is toprovide an improved arrangement of condenser, evaporator, compressor and air circulating means sofas to obtain advantages that vwill be observed from the disclosure herein.

Other objects andadvantages be more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical transverse section through 4the unit embodying my improved features taken on the lineI-I of Fis'. 2;.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section-'taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a verticalsectional'view through one lform of unitj; u c Fig. 411s a plan view thereof taken substantially onthe line l4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-5;

Fig. 6 is a vertical transverse section ofthe modified form of unit;

Fig. 'i is a vertical longitudinal section taken on the line 1-1 of Fig.. 6;

Fig. 8 is a vertical longitudinal section taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 isa vertical section 'through-a unit empossible others that the invention might take, I' have'shown in Fig. 1 a self-contained unit having an elongated evaporator coil I 'disposed within a suitable vertical passageway 2 while a condenser 4 is disposedwithin a passageway 5. These lelements maybe supported in any suitable manner on al base B and preferably in spaced relation l thereto to permit air circulating means to he disposed beneath the evaporator and condenser. f

As shown in the longitudinal section of Fig. 2,

`the (air circulating means includes a room air fanI for circulating airfrom the room, thencebeneath the lower spaced edge of the cabinet l ,'to the fan inlet 8. This air is then discharged through preferably a spiral scroll lfin a tangential direction as indicated at Il to passage 2,

whereupon the rair flows vertically over evaporator I'and through an outlet I2 to the room. To cool the condenser 4 by outside air, the unit is phere through another portion I9 of the window 10 duct. The two blowers are preferably driven by a common motor supported on base 6.- Ii

desired.'the 4duct 5 may open directly into the space containing motor 20 and fan scroll I0 as the latter and its casing 2 are entirely closed l5 against admission of air except room air from beneath cabinet 9. However, if desired, the pas- .sage 5 may have a lower wall indicated by 'dotted lines 2|.

The condenser 4 as shown in Fig. l is L-shapedv 20 having its major portion disposed within passage 5, although a very substantial portion continues directly into the atmospheric duct I4. This condenser `also extends over the compressor for the full length of the unit as noted from Fig. 2. The

portion of the condenser disposed over motorcompressor unit I6 is cooled by the inowing air while the remainder of the condenser is cooled by the outflowing air. As a result of this particular arrangement, it is seen that the condenser when formed as a unit (fins 22 holding all of the pipe coils together) can be completely supported by the walls of passage 5, although if necessary supplemental braces may extend from the unit. laterally through the windowlduct to help support the portion of the condenser therein.

To take care of the condensate, there is provided a series of longitudinal troughs 24 adapted to collect condensate dripping down from evaporator I, this condensate ilowing through a pipe 25 to a similar set f troughs 26. 'I'he water is then entrained by t e upward flowing condenser cooling air through passages 21. It will be noted from Fig. 2 that the condensate troughs 26 are disposed only adjacent that portion of the condenser over which the outfiowing air passes. It will of course be understood that evaporator I likewise extends for the full length `of the unit in the same manner as condenser 4, thereby taking full advantage of the space above the motorcompressor unit I5.

In the modification shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, I have provided, Fig. 4, a vertical, axis motor-- compressor unit 30 disposed within a suitably enclosed compartment 3| while adjacent thereto is an evaporator compartment 32 in which is removably disposed anevaporator 33. Disposed immediately behind the motor-compressor unit and the evaporator, and extendingfor the full length of the unit is a condenser 34 located en'- tirely within an atmospheric duct generally indicated at l5. This duct and condenser I4 may be supported in any suitable manner as by structural channels or beams generally indicated at 85, thereby to form the condewr as a self-contained part ofthe unit.

To cool the condenser, vertical passages 31 and $9 extend for the full length of the unit except they are divided by a partition 39. this partition mating with any one d! the rectangular shaped plate fins 4l cf the condenser.- Hence outside air will ilow inwardly through one-half.

o! the condenser and down through passage 31,'-

thence into the inlets 4I of `a condenser fan A42, the air thence flowing upwardly through assage 3l and out over the other half of the fo v denser 34. Room air is circulated over evaporator 33 by a blower 44 whose rotor is shown in plan view at in Fig. 5. In this arrangement it is seen that the same compact relation is maintained as in the preferred form in that the compressor and evaporator completely overlie the air circulating means including a common driving motor 41 therefor.

openings 53 and 54 in the unit, thereby to be circulated upwardly over the evaporator 50 preferably by a pair of propeller fans 55 and 56, this air being discharged into the room through a Asuitable opening in the top of the cabin'et. A

condenser 58 is disposed entirely in a window duct 59 and supported as a self-contained part of the unit by any suitable structural means such as a cantilever beam 60. Outside air is circulated over the condenser by a pair of fans 6I and 62 which are separated by a vertical partition 63. thereby causing outside air to be drawn inwardly over one-half of the condenser by fan 62 and thence discharged downwardly along one side of partition 63 and thence upwardly on the other y side thereof to .be discharged outwardly over the other half of the condenserI by fan 6I. As a result of this general arran'gement, it is seenthat ample space is left inthe lower portion of the unit to house ahorizontal motor-compressor unit generally indicated at 64. Also the outside air is adapted to flow over this unit as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 8.

To dispose of the condensate in this improved form, I have provided a reciprocating piston pump generally indicated at 65 actuated by a suitable crankpin on thend'of the vertical shaft of fan 55. An inlet pipe 66 communicates with the bottom`of plate 52 serving' as a sump into which condensate will drip from evaporator 50 as the room air is dehumidifled. 'I'he discharge side 61 of this pump conducts the moisture preferably to a point where the condensate will ilow the high velocity of air will spray the moisture over the hot surface of the condenser. Hence it is seen that th'e room air fan and condenser air fan are brought into functional cooperation in the' disposition oi the condensate. It will of course be understood that the unit is supported upon a base 69.

In the modication shown in Fig. 9, an evaporator 'I5 and condenser 'I6 are arranged generally in the manner of Fig. 1. However, to collect and dispose of the condensate'the base 6' is provided with a depressed portion I1 to serve as a condensate collecting sump.` To dispose of the condensate,there is provided a small electric motor I8 actuating any suitable pump 'I9 of either the pistonv or gear type arranged with its suction pipe 80 extending into the sump 11 while its dismercury switch generally indicated at I3. This switch has lead wires 84 connected to terminals 2,085,708 within the tubular member 83, whereby a globule oi! mercury 85 may close or open said contacts. To effect actuation of this switch by the condensate, the switch is provided with an arm 86 pivotally supported at 81 to any suitable bracket 88. The free end of the 'mercury switch tube is `pro- 4 vided with a cork collar or head 89 so as to permit being shown in dotted lines.

appreciably lled before the mercury will ilow to V vthe other end of the tube to close the contacts and yet when the` contacts are once closed-.the

switch will remainA closed until. the condensate is pumped out substantially entirely at which time the mercury tube will be in such an angular DOrting its weight.

position as lto permit the mercury globule to break its contacts. f

From the foregoing .disclosure of the several modifications,- it is seen that I have provided an extremely compact arrangement of a condenser,

evaporator and air circulating means 'together with a motor-compressor unit-of the refrigerating system. It is alsov seen that the provision of the horizontally disposed condenser directly within the atmospheric duct permits full utilization of the space therein without any sacrifice of efciency and also permits effective disposal of the condensate as the air flow over that portion ofthe vcondenser in the atmospheric duct is better able to carry the moisturealong inthe air stream. Inthe verticalportion of the condenser,

.the air stre'am vmust be able to support not only the weight of the .water but also to have sumcient'force to` impart vertical movement thereto,

whereas in the atmospheric duct portion of the `condenser the air stream need only move the condensate horizontally withoutv regard to sup- It will of course be understood that various changes in details of construction and arrangement of parts may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention-as` set forth in the appended claims.

.I claim: l 1. An air conditioning 'unit comprising, in com.

' .bination, an evaporator, means for circulating room air thereover, an atmospheric duct projecting rearwardly from said unit and adapted to communicate with the outside through a Awin-- dow or other suitable vwall opening, a condenser `disposed directly within saidduct and form-ing a self-contained part of said unit, and means for circulatingzoutside air inwardly of said duct' Vand over the condenser therein.

-2. Aach-contained airl conditioningunit cornprising, in combination, an evaporator, means .for circulating room air thereover, an L-shaped f condenser having one leg thereof projecting rearwardly from l,said unit, a windowduct in which said condenser leg is disposed, and means.

for circulating outside air over said condenser. 3. An air conditioning unit comprising, in

combination. an: evaporator, means .for circula` ting room air thereover, a condenser having a portionoverhan'ging the back side .of saidunit and extending directly rearwardly from within the same at the upper portiontheerof, and means for circulating outside air over said condenser.

'condenser disposed wthin'the window duct.

` 6. An air conditioning unit comprising, incombination, a base, a motor-compressor unit supincluding a window duct in which at least a porported thereby, room air and outside air blowers also supported by said base, an evaporator, and

an air cooled condenser supported above said outside alr blower and. compressor unit, whereby air flows upwardly yand thence transversely of said evaporator and condenser.

Y 7. A self-contained airconditioning unit com.

prising, in combination, a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, means for constantly circulating room airover said evaporator and outside air over said condenser, a base for supporting said elements'having a sump therein in which condensate is adapted to collect, a motor-driven gpump'for discharging said condensate into the stream of outside air, and a float actuated switch disposed in saidsump for starting or stopping said motor automatically in accordance with predetermined levels 4of condensate in `sald sump whereby the outside air streamcontinues to ilow so as to` be constantly operative to receive intermittently pumped condensate.

8. A self-contained'air conditioning prising, in combination, a base, an evaporator,

a condenser, means for constantly circulating,

room air over said evaporator'and outside air over said condenser, means for collecting condensate from said evaporator, and a motor-driven oat controlled pump for.l discharging condensate over said condenser.

. 9. A self-contained air conditioning unit comprising, 'in combination, an evaporator, a vertical axis motor-driven propeller fan for circulating room air over said evaporator, a condenser, means for circulating outside air over said condenser including a window duct in which said condenser is at least partially disposed, and a 'pump driven from the lower end of said propeller fan-motor shaft for discharging condensate to the outside air.

10. The combination set forth in claim 9 further characterized in that s aid outside air circulatingmeans includes a blower and the pump discharges directly-into the air stream from said blower.

11. A' self-contained air conditioning unit comprising, in combination, an evaporator, motordriven propeller means for moving room air horizontally in the unit and turning the air so as to pass vertically over said evaporator, a condenser extending into the upper portion of the unit, and means for circulating outside air over said condenser and out through said upper portion of the unit.

12. A self-contained airconditioning unit comprising, in combination, an vevaporator extending for substantially the full length of the unit, vertical axis motor-driven propeller fans for circulating room air from opposite sides of the unit and thence lover said evaporator, a condenser disposed to the rear of said evaporator, and-means for circulating outs'de yair over said condenser to cool the same.

13. The combination set forth in claim 12 furunit comther characterired in that a pair oi.' propeller fans is provided to circulate room air from opposite ends of said unit and thence vertically over said evaporator in a vertical direction.

5 14. The combination set forth in claim 12 further`characterized in that said evaporator and fan are 4supported in spaced relation to a base,

' and a motor-compressor unit is disposed beneath said evaporator and fan.

10 15. A self-contained air conditioning unit cornprising, in combination, a base, an evaporatorand air cooled condenser each extending substantially the full length of said unit and in spaced relation to said base, and air circulating means .15 and a motor-compressor unit 4disposed beneath ing, a condenser disposed directly within said.

' duct and forming a'self-contained part o! said unit, and means for circulating outside air over the condenser therein.

' 17. A self-contained air conditioning unit comprising,.in combination. a base having a sump `formed therein to collect condensate, an evaporator from which condensate ows to said sump, a condenser, means for circulating room air over said evaporator and outside air over said conv denser, a motor driven pump for discharging condensate from said .sump, and means for con- :trolling the operation of said pump motor automatically in accordance with the liquid level in said sump. l

18. An air conditioning unit comprising,v in

combination, a base, a motor compressor unit supported thereby, outside air and room air blowers also supported by said base, an evaporator supported above said room air blower, and an air cooled condenser overlying both the outside air blower and compressor unit whereby air ilowsv upwardly and also laterally. relative to said condenser before ilowing transversely thereover.

ARTHUR S. LOCKE. 

